computer hic-ups?

[snapperbait]

I think my computer has the hic-ups, or something..<br /><br />I'm pretty certain that the hard drive is what's making noise.. <br /><br />Best I candescribe it is a switching sound.. Like the hard drive is quickly turning off and on, repeatedly.. <br /><br />A little background info.. <br />HP, P4 chip, running XP home..<br />I guess it was right around Xmas, I had to replace the power supply (went ka-put).. I believe it originally had a 150watt power supply.. Unable to find a 150 watter, I went with a 250 watt supply (puter-geek at the store said that was ok).. <br /><br />Not long after I replaced the power supply, maybe a month, every so often it would make the noise just once or twice without any effect on the function of the computer, untill tonite! <br /><br />Tonite, the puter froze up and started the hic-uping noise repeatedly, and it would'nt stop (no matter ho hard I hit the blasted thing )...<br /><br />I pulled it apart, checked and changed all power connections both inside the tower and outside, tried different wall outlets, ect...<br /><br />A couple times it would almost get thru the hic-ups and start, then it would freeze up at the windows opening screen.. I finaly got it to start thru a few hic-ups, and it's been running ok for the last half hour with no hic-ups..<br /><br />ooopsy.. I spoke too soon... hic-ups again..<br />help..

 

[Boomyal]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Save your data while it will still run SnapperB. Sounds like the drive is starting to go. A failing harddrive give you a very short window of opportunity to get your data of of it.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: computer hic-ups?

A P4 running a 250 Watt PS?? You are way under powered. Add the Ram, Video Card, CDRoms, etc and it won't take long to draw more power than your PS can produce cleanly. Not that all of the above items are used at the same moment, but you get the idea. If your hard drive is indeed on it's last legs, it's best to off load your important data before disaster strikes.<br /><br />Mass produced computer makers are notorious for giving you just enough power to run the computer with the installed parts. Add a couple of upgrades and your over the limit.<br /><br />Take a peek here, scroll down to power supply section...<br /> Link

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Although 250w is by todays standards tiny, most people have hugely oversized power supplies in their computers. If you actually get around to measuring current consumption under real conditions (video games + prime95 in the background) you'll see what I mean. HP, etc, actually know this and that's how they can size a 150w power supply to thier computer. The only parts of a computer that consumes an appreciable ammount of power is the processor and video card. Everything else is 10W stuff.<br />I think it was the poor quality PSs that drove people into thinking 250W was not enough. Some of them could actually produce 250W, but then they blew up in a month or two. The 'good' brands worked forever.<br />This, for example, is coming to you from an XP2400+ (juiced up naturally ) w/ 2 HDs (Atlas V and 10k), SCSI card, cooking (old high powered) Intel/Etherexpress, CDROM, burner, etc. It's been running Prime95 24h/7d for 14 months now, and hasn't had a hiccup that I didn't cause. It runs with an AOpen 235W power supply with a fan I slowed down to under 2000RPM. Actual consumption is in the neighborhood of 100W.<br /><br /> <br />Anyway, sorry for getting way off topic. Replace that HD snapperbait - it sounds like it's going quick! If it's seen more than 3 years service, it's time anyhow.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Methinks that Snapper's harddrive took a nosedive?

 

[KaGee]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Paul, I agree somewhat with your comment. Xcuse, I also agree partially with your's. <br /><br />It all depends upon what you have inside. An HP running on 150W offers no room for add on's. My motherboard (NVidia chipset) will not operate properly on a 250w supply.<br /><br />350W is a good compromise, and then only Intel or AMD approved PSUs.<br /><br />Snapper.... have you tried running any of the disc utilities??

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Take the Pepsi Challange and put a meter on that bad boy - I think you'll be surprised! <br /><br />I fear Boomyal's right!

 

[eurolarva]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Try sneaking up on it and shouting BOO.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Yep... The ole' hard drive is ka-puts.. Just got er back up and running tonite, on a limited basis.. Now gots to install everything again.. oh joy!.. <br /><br />Fortunately I had most of my files backed up on cd.. Did loose some programs that came in the puter from the factoy.. One in particular.. Old version of HP photo editor.. Hopefully I can find it somewhere..<br /><br />Sams had the deal. 160gig 7200rpm drive for $79.95, no rebate crap either.. Unfortunately, I lost my dang cd, so I had to get a new, full copy of xp.. $cha-ching$ (what a rip-off)

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: computer hic-ups?

Well, glad to see you back up. What drive did you get? The Western Digital with the 3 year warranty has my fancy lately - nice and quiet and pretty reliable (I never thought I'd say that again after the late 90's WDs though!!).

 

[KaGee]

Re: computer hic-ups?

You could have gotten away with an upgrade version of XP. Too bad you lost your disk.<br />Lessons learned I guess.<br /><br />Keep your XP disk and key under lock and key if necessary.... you will be screwed twice if you loose that.

 

[bkwarford]

Re: computer hic-ups?

PC acting up?<br />Alot of times you can check the Windows event log to find the cause. <br />(Using Windows 2000 or XP)<br />Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>EventViewer. bad blocks = dying hard drive. <br />Other issue's in the evt vwr = you can use google to find a description\cause.<br /><br />So if you know the old hdd is dying? You can sometimes still pull files off it. Just as you did... get a new hdd and install the OS. Then place the old hdd as a slave drive (ex. connect the old hdd in place of the cd-rom). Then bootup and Windows will recognize the old hdd as D or E and you can sometimes still pull files off of it. <br />Other things to help a dying hdd?<br />Place the hdd in a freezer (inside a sand baggie) for 1-2 hours then hook it up quick to pull files before it heats up too quickly. <br />Also... A slight tap with a screwdriver handle on the side of the hdd can loosen a sticky needle if thats the case.